Objectives:
Travelling to exotic destinations is associated with the risk of diseases typical for the region visited. The use of prophylaxis makes it possible to avoid or significantly reduce the risk of exotic disease. It is necessary to observe personal hygiene and nutrition, wash hands frequently, properly equip a first-aid kit and apply immunoprophylaxis depending on the location. The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge and habits of travellers about possible microbiological hazards and their knowledge concerning methods of prevention.

Material and methods:
Material consisted of data from 250 electronic anonymous surveys. A diagnostic survey (the so-called snowball method) was used. The study was conducted among users of online travel forums and groups of tourists and travellers in Poland.

Results:
The study group of tourists manifested an unsatisfactory level of awareness of the risks associated with travelling to an exotic country. The respondents were unable to identify all diseases that threatened their health in the tropics. More than 43% of respondents travelling with children up to 6 years of age did not introduce dietary restrictions. Approximately 16% of respondents considering that should first aid kits be equipped with vaccines, and showed a low level of knowledge about vaccination. A large proportion of the respondents admitted that the health information they received from the travel agency was insufficient. Respondents rarely sought information in specialist travel medicine centres and physicians.

Conclusions:
The results and observations of other researchers point to the need for additional education for health workers, students of medical schools, and emphasize the urgent need to educate travel agency staff.